Hazard's believed involvement in the protest led to 81 of Chelsea's Jewish supporters, including a number of high-profile lawyers, putting their names on an email to the club's chief executive Ron Gourlay outlining their concern.

The letter, copied to FA chairman David Bernstein, said it was inappropriate for Hazard to use his platform as a Chelsea footballer to air such sensitive political opinions and that he should apologise for the offence caused to some of the club's supporters.

However, it emerged yesterday that Hazard had not contributed to the petition. His agent John Bico said: 'Eden never speaks about his political opinions and he certainly never signed anything.'

Drogba had been one of the marquee players listed along with Hazard as having done so on the website of former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute.

Strange choice of words

Considering the FA have always been so concerned about leaks coming out of Wembley, the wording of the advertisement for the new independent chairman to replace David Bernstein is surprising.

It states that the appointee is expected to be an ambassador for the FA and football, ensuring the organisation promotes exemplary corporate governance and 'transparency'.

Crerand set for 5 Live stay

BBC 5 Live intend to keep using football pundit Paddy Crerand, a former Manchester United player and enthusiastic flag-waver for the club, as an occasional contributor despite his astonishing rant on the breakfast show yesterday.

Anger: Former United star Crerand lost his temper on BBC 5 Live

Crerand lost his temper at being asked about players celebrating in front of opposition fans. BBC 5 Live say they have no issue with the way the emotional Crerand expressed his views.

Henderson all smiles

Henderson poured himself a large glass of red wine in the royal box at Sandown even as the six-year-old cantered to the start of the two-mile chase.

Celebration: Henderson poured himself a large glass of red in the royal box

There was relief at the Jockey Club, meanwhile, after two races over the modified Grand National fences at Aintree saw no casualties.

The racecourse owners are looking for a £2million-a-year sponsor of the National to replace John Smith's, with the last resort being a bookmaker partner. Any deaths over the Liverpool jumps at the weekend would have made that very difficult to attain.

Usmanov foiled again

Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov, ridiculously, may not be able to gain a seat on the board despite his 29.9 per cent holding.

But he has just been re-elected as president of the International Fencing Federation for another four years. Billionaire Usmanov's fencing objectives for his second term include 'provision of financial support to current sportspeople', which is exactly what a lot of Arsenal fans would like him to have the opportunity to do at the Emirates Stadium.

Talks in place over FFP

An extra Premier League chairmen's meeting has been arranged for next Tuesday in the hope of agreeing a strategy regarding financial fair-play regulations before the January transfer window.

However, such is the gulf between Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Sunderland - who are strongly in favour of FFP - and Manchester City, West Brom, Fulham and Aston Villa, who are just as adamantly opposed, that gaining the required support of 14 clubs before Christmas is unlikely.